Forest Knowledge Gateway
Forest restoration and integrative management.

A new study published in Forest Ecology and Management highlights how proforestation –  the long-term protection of existing forests with minimal human intervention – can significantly enhance biodiversity-related forest structures. Researchers compared actively managed forests with stands abandoned for more than 20 and 60 years across Mediterranean, mountainous beech, and Alpine coniferous forests. The study focused on tree-related microhabitats (TreMs), such as cavities, bark loss, dead branches, and insect galleries, which provide essential habitat for birds, insects, fungi, and other organisms. Results showed that long-term forest abandonment generally increased the richness and abundance of TreMs, especially in montane forests. However, responses differed strongly among forest types, reflecting local climate, topography, and management history. The findings demonstrate that allowing forests to age naturally not only increases habitat availability but also reshapes ecological complexity over time, reinforcing the value of proforestation as a nature-based solution for biodiversity conservation and resilient forest ecosystems.

Europe’s forests are undergoing a quiet rethink – turning “waste” wood into an ecological priority. The Life in Deadwood, the final LIFE SPAN project documentary, explores how deadwood can be preserved within actively managed forests. Filmed in Italy and Germany, it follows researchers and foresters working to support saproxylic species that depend on decaying wood. The film highlights “Saproxylic Habitat Sites,” small patches where trees are left to age and decompose, creating vital habitats. Rather than isolated reserves, these sites form networks that sustain biodiversity. By shifting perception – seeing decay as life – the project promotes adaptive forestry that balances human use with ecological continuity.

Monitoring forest disturbance and damage is essential for Integrative Forest Management (IFM) as it enables timely and effective responses to threats. This is why this indicator was selected as one of 17 indicators for IFM. IFM can mitigate disturbances or damages through integrated damage management practices, which include promoting diverse forest structures and site-adapted, mixed tree species compositions. Such diversity enhances ecosystem resilience, making forests less susceptible to abiotic and biotic threats. Regular monitoring allows forest managers to detect early signs of disturbance or damage, assess the severity, and implement appropriate interventions promptly (Patacca et al., 2023). This proactive approach not only guards forest health and productivity but also biodiversity and other ecosystem services.